6 Best Car Shipping Companies: Top Services Reviewed

Car shipping is a big American business. The demand is huge (17 million new cars in 2019 – just new cars!) and there are dozens of companies and services vying to be the best car shipping company. So much choice can be daunting. Some are cheap, some are highly reviewed, some specialize in certain vehicles, and others boast guaranteed pickup dates, quote comparisons, and total US coverage. With all the noise they make, it’s hard to sift through the actual strengths (and weaknesses) of these direct car shipping services and know which one is right for you.

That’s where this guide comes in. Here are the 7 best car transport services and what makes them stand out, so you can make an informed choice. Read on to find out what is the best car transport company for your needs.

5 Best Car Shipping Companies

6. Sherpa Auto Transport

Sherpa can’t be faulted for putting the customer first. Every customer’s vehicle gets a (free!) car wash per transit and the quotes customers receive from drivers are transparently easy to compare.

There is no restriction on cars that don’t drive, so you can transport a sentimental husk of the car if you wish. Your dad’s jalopy, broken down at the list, will present no issue for this car transport service, and the quotes you get from choosing Sherpa are guaranteed to be the same as what you are charged. So much is assured by their policies. 

So keen are Sherpa to have your business, they will shell out up to $300 to make up the difference if a transporter runs into problems and needs more pay for their time. That, and your car arriving in pristine condition after having been washed put Sherpa at a market advantage in terms of the service they deliver.

However, they have no insurance options and the quotes you receive from Sherpa drivers can be higher than the market average. At least it’s a price that stays the same, but it can put off potential Sherpa users.

5. Ship a Car Direct

Since 2008, Ship a Car Direct has boasted some impressive customer reviews. They can guarantee damage-free transport and, like many car shipping services, they offer door-to-door delivery. If you’re passionate about reserving your private data, Ship a Car Direct is a good choice, since they ask for much less information than most services.

That’s not always a good thing. The more a shipper knows about your car, the better they can transport it. No skin off the noses of the owners of robust vehicles, but if your car is delicate or temperamental, this can be a disadvantage.

Carriers are well-vetted before being loosed on your shipment. If damage occurs, Ship a Car Direct will foot the bill. 

However, it’s USP that few customer data are required once you request a thorough quote. Ship a Car Direct is good for browsing to gain an idea of likely costs. But to engage their services you will need to input as much detail as is typical for this kind of work.

4. Montway Auto Transport

Montway has a price matching policy that serves them, and you, satisfactorily. They also are confident about transporting rare cars: esoteric sports cars or vintage classics. Most of all, though, they specialize in pickup dates.

Most car companies won’t give you the option of selecting a precise pickup date. Usually, you are offered a window, and during that period your car will come. That suits most people. But for those on a tight schedule, this is a handy option.

That optionality extends to speed. Need your car gone in a hurry? Montway offers an expedited (if expensive) shipping service that will pick up your car within 48 hours. Breakdowns have occurred, customers have said, but a second carrier is always sent to compensate in those circumstances.

What’s more, Montway offers plenty of payment options.

The chief criticism Montway faces is the information on their site has been known to be out of date. Customers have griped about inconsistencies with the surface offered. But we hope they are now updating their terms and conditions in keeping with changes to the policy.

3. AmeriFreight

AmeriFreight’s advantage in the market isn’t all the bells and whistles, car cleaning, and deluxe servicing. AmeriFreight is known for its discounts. Their price matching policy is their selling point, and cash-strapped users will get the most out of AmeriFreight. For students, the military, first responders, and senior citizens, they offer discounts other haulers don’t.

Ferrying a car long-distance is not a cheap operation, so AmeriFreight is to be admired for its efforts to cut costs. Any damage that is incurred along the way, with evidence to prove it, will be compensated by AmeriFreight’s insurance plan if you raise it with them within 48 hours. So even when the carrier leaves, you have some time to inspect your vehicle for dents or scratches.

For car owners on a budget, not interested in the polish and high-quality service guarantee of other companies, AmeriFreight is a sensible solution.

2. SGT Auto Transport

Originally based out of Florida but now operating out of New York, SGT Auto Transport has been operating since 2014. With over 100,000 vehicles delivered over that span, they’ve proven to be a reliable and efficient transporter.

SGT has a 4.7-star rating with thousands of reviews, and is a BBB-accredited business. The company is made up of over 25,000 carriers, giving them the flexibility to handle any auto transportation job. At the core of the company’s ethos are dependability, honesty, efficiency and commitment.

While the company’s carriers are exceptional, another reason SGT is one of the best choices for vehicle transportation is its dedication to customer service. In addition to carrier and customer support teams, they have a Status Update team to help you track your vehicle while it’s en route to its destination.

1. CitizenShipper

What sets CitizenShipper apart from other car-shipping firms is the ease and freedom they give to customers. Free to pick and choose the right driver. Free to browse quotes and select the perfect option that suits your schedule and budget. With hundreds of drivers on the books, vying for your shipment, you have the rare guarantee of freedom to select the perfect one. Covering the entire US, CitizenShipper’s vetted and trusted drivers are among the savviest car carriers in the country.

For all their experience, your wallet doesn’t have to suffer as a result. A competitive online marketplace puts you in the driving seat, able to decide between competing drivers with different specialties, driving quotes down without sacrificing the quality of service.

What’s more, the ease of posting the details of your shipment – type of car, destination, origin – takes less than five minutes. And you’re assured a number of experienced, certified drivers giving you quotes. You can contact each of them if you like, and ask for their experience or credentials. Mostly they will be exhibited on the driver’s profile.

And that’s it! Within minutes you’ll be receiving quotes from some of the safest and most reliable drivers in the industry. Simply post your shipment and let the market do the hard work for you

Then it’s plain sailing.

For what you may need to know about preparing your car shipping, take a look at our sister article.

Featured Image Credit: medium.com/@willship/